Saturday, January 17, 2009

1+1+1=

Cook (almost) Anything turns three...and celebrates with a bit of nip and tuck.

I know I say it every year but I am surprised that I've actually kept going for so long. For that, I must say thank you to all that support this site - whether frequent or occasional, whether you leave a comment or send an email or silently lurk, I do find it rather amazing that people actually read this site and further more, cook the recipes. It does bring me a lot of joy to know that others have enjoyed these offerings.

Unfortunately for every positive there is a negative and that negative remains and grows larger - that bugbear of content theft and in particular the theft of my photographs. It does get me down but I am stubborn, I refuse to let them dictate how I show my photographs.

I will not compromise them with distracting watermarks or make them postage stamp sized - for me, what's always been important, is that the image must retain its integrity.

I will also continue not to accept advertising. I don't believe I'm any less professional than those that do but some see it that way. There's advertising everywhere and I really see no need for it to be on my site.

As for the site renovations - there's a few little things that need to be done but as the hour is late, I think it best that I leave it for tomorrow.

25 comments:

Happy 3rd birthday! I know I don't visit as often as I should (although in my defense, I don't visit my OWN blog enough!!!), but I have always been in both awe & love with this place. Your photos, well you know how I feel about that. And even if the odds of my making more than a small percentage of the recipes are miniscule, that doesn't stop me from drooling! I promise,I wipe the keyboard immediately after.

I'm with you on the advertising; I refuse to do the same. I don't want it, I don't need it. I don't blog to make money, or be important. I love the look of Cook (almost) Anything, and I'm glad you're sticking around!

Congratulations on you "birthday"! Wow--three years is amazing. And I feel the same way about photos, though it is SO upsetting to find one's photos elsewhere w/o attribution. Like the new layout, too! :)

Congratulations from an (until now) silent lurker! I've been following this blog for about a year now, and although I haven't made many recipes, it's always nice to read your recipes and get some inspiration.

Oh, and I totally agree with your stand on photograph copies and adds!

Haalo, Congratulations on year #3!!! Wow, that's quite an accomplishment! I agree with you about photo's and advertising. It's certainly a big complement to you if people want to grab your photo's, but at the same time it's horrible.Keep doing what your doing, you have a fantastic blog!

I love the new look! I'm also glad you show us your gorgeous photos without watermarking, which I don't think really deters people from stealing the photos anyway. Here is to many more years of great food!

You know what....if people steal my photos...that is just their bad character and they have to deal with the consequences thereof.....You have to feel flattered that someone finds your photos worth stealing....

PS. I battle to get an index going on my site and I see you also use Blogger.....you know what I mean? LIke the different tabs that will take me to your other blogs eg. Cheeseblog ect...If you can email me with advice I will be most grateful...nina(at)boxpac.co.za Thx a stack!

Haalo, Congratulations on Cook Almost Anything turning 3. An avid follower of your blog, it is my go-to site for product/ingredient reviews, recipes and inspiration. Keep up the fabulous work: the writing and the photos.

Wishing you a very happy third blogversary Haalo. It's no surprise that people steal your photos but don't steal my snaps. Hopefully one day people will replicate my dishes for exactly the same reason. I'm still hoping we can fit those two thoughts together one day. All the very best.

Felicitaciones!! I'm a bit lazy for comments, but I follow your blog since long and as good wine... it improves with the years! Thanks for your time sharing with us your extraordinary cooking.All the best!

You wrote in your blog that you enjoy the positive feedback, but at the same time the negative issues with theft is growing. I am sure there is nothing I can say to really affect the situation, but I just wanted you to know I have been a silent observer of your sight for almost two years now. And I have to confess I have saved a couple of your photos so i can duplicate the dish (I don't like your recipes when they get too complex so I look at the dish and then come up with a variation). I respect you enough not to do anything more than add them to my own little personalized cook book, I promise.

I hope you keep going, considering the only other site I use to go to (which, in fact, was how I found yours) has been closed. It was the www.cupcakeblog.com. I have not found any other site that kept my attention. Thank you!

Hi Anon - my comments are directed to sites and individuals who use my photos to pimp their own business or sites. Just today I've managed to put a stop to one site that has stolen over 60 complete posts - they were using them to make money from google adsense. This is the type of problems I basically come up against every day and sadly enough, that isn't the worst of it. I'm happy that you've been able to get some inspiration out the photos and use the site as it should be used.

Dear Haalo,I'm sorry I missed your blog's 3rd birthday. I think that your blog is very professional - I actually find the adverts annoying. I love your blog - the photos, recipes, information and also the personal stories. You never fail to inspire my culinary adventures and peak my curiousity about unfamiliar ingredients.

And greetings from Singapore! I am here visiting family and old friends. I came by your blog today to locate a recipe - they always "make" me bake for them while I am here ;-)

Happy 3rd Birthday! I'm sorry to hear about your continuing problems with the theft of your photos. My hat's off to you for continuing to maintain this lovely blog of yours, with utter integrity and style.